Hydraulic pulling tool



- Feb. 28, 1961 A. v. SEGELHORST HYDRAULIC PULLING TOOL 3 W H m .m a L R. M I F Ef m w a )2 2 m m x ia i W W 3 SheetsSheet 1 J J 2 W I. v H r 2 4 6 a 9 M 0 IT .4

Filed Nov. 19, 1956 1961 AV. SYEGELHORST 2,97

HYDRAULIC PULLING TOOL Filed Nov. 19, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ii a Feb. 28, 1961 A. v. SEGELHORST 2,973,038

HYDRAULIC PULLING TOOL Filed Nov. 19, 1956 s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. ,4 A9mr7/4Q6-ax/a0z Z irram zx HYDRAULIC PULLING TOOL August V. Segelhorst, Corona del Mar, Califi, assignor to Bowen Itco, Inc., Houston, Tex., a corporation of Texas Filed Nov. 19, 1956, Ser. No. 623,108

4 Claims. (Cl. 166-98) This invention relates to a hydraulic pulling or jacking tool which is run into the casing of an oil well. It is then fixed in a position within the casing so that the tool canot move vertically. The lower portion of the tool is attached to the lost pipe, tubing, or the like, called a fish. Hydraulic pressure is now exerted on the jack portion of the tool which causes a lift or upward movement to occur on the fish, and will pull that fish upwardly a definite distance.

An object of my invention is to provide a novel bydraulic pulling tool with a novel hydraulic valving action which permits the hydraulic pressure fluid to be either directed to thejacking portion of the tool, or directed away fromthe jack; this action being accomplished by vertical movement of the drill pipe from the surface of the well. 1

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel hydraulic pulling tool in which the control valve therein is actuated by a short vertical movement of the drill pipe upon which the tool is mounted.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a novel pulling tool of the character stated, in which a push-pull valve is provided in one position of which the hydraulic pressure fluid is directed to the tool units which hold the tool in position, and also to the jack portion of the tool, while in another position of the valve the pressure fluid is directed out of the tool to deactivate the holding and jacking mechanisms.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawings, the subjoined detailed description and the appended claims.

In the drawings: I

Figure l is a fragmentary longitudinal view partly in section of the upper or valve portion of the tool.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal view partly in section of a section of the tool below Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal view partly in section of a portion of the tool below Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal view partly in section of a portion of the tool below Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a vertical view partly in section of a portion of the tool below Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a vertical view partly in section of a portion of the tool below Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a vertical view partly in section of a portion of the tool below Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a vertical view partly in section of a portion of the tool below Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a vertical view partly-in section of a portion of the tool below Figure 8 which is the spear position of the tool. a

Figure 10 is a vertical view partly in section of the valve portion of the tool showing-the valvein another position. I

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on line 11-11 of Figure 1. I

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on line -12--12 of Figure 10." v V rd States Patent holding part of the tool indicated at 2. The lower or jacking portion of the tool, indicated at 3, is threaded into the lower part of the holding portion 2 of the tool. The lowermost portion 4, which is the fish engaging or spear part of the tool, threads into the lower part of the jack portion 3 of the tool.

The upper or valve portion of the tool includes a collar 5 into which the drill pipe 6 is threaded. The tool is thus supported on a string of pipe which extends from the surface downwardly into the well. A tubular mandrel 7 is threaded into the collar 5 and extends into a sub 8, this sub in turn is threaded into the upper end of the cylinder 9 which is tubular in shape. Within'the cylinder 9 is mounted the valve portion of the tool whereby the pressure fluid is directed either downwardly through the tool for the purpose of actuating the jacks (which will be subsequently described), or which may be directed outwardly through the wall of the cylinder to thus bypass the jacking portion of the tool. This valve structure consists of the following elements:

A sleeve valve 10 surrounds the mandrel 7 and has a limited longitudinal movement thereon. A spring detent 11 is mounted in the wall of the cylinder 9 and this detent projects inwardly to engage the valve 10 in one position of that valve. An annular groove 12 in the valve 10 is entered by the spring detent to hold the valve 10 in a raised position as the mandrel 7 is moved downwardly for the purpose. of controlling fluid flow, as will be subsequently described. The mandrel 7 is provided with splines 13 which travel in complementary grooves in the sub 8, thus holding the mandrel 7 against rotation relative to the sub 8, the cylinder 9 and in fact all of the pulling tool. A plurality of outlet ports 14 extend through the wall of the mandrel 7 and these ports open into a space 15 within the cylinder 9. A plurality of slots 16 extend through the wall of the cylinder 9 and these slots also open from the space 15 and permit pressure fluid to flow out of the tool in the position of the parts shown in Figure 10. The mandrel, 7 is threaded into a head 17, and this head accurately fits the inside of the cylinder 9 similar to a piston. A tube 18 screws into the mandrelhead 17 and extends downwardly into the cylinder 9 to provide a releasable gripping means as follows:

A plurality of outwardly projecting friction rings. or shoulders 19 are provided on the outside of the tube 18 and adjacent its lower end. A slip or gripping sleeve to be subsequently described. This particular releasable grippingconstruction is disclosed in Patent No. 2,059,540, November 3, 1936. An adjusting nut 21 is threaded in the cylinderv 9 above the sleeve 20. This nut can be adjusted by removing the plug 21" in the'side of the cylinder 9.

When the tool is being run into the well the ports 14 The pressure fluid 18 thus passing downwardly through the tool and into;

are closed, as shown in Figure 1.

the holding portion 2 of the tool, which is also tubular.

Theholding' portion of the tool consists of an upper sub 21 which screws into the bottom of the cylinder 9. Below the sub 21 I provide a plurality of piston-like holding plugs 22 which are mounted in the wall of the holding portion 23 of the tool. The blocks or pistonlike structures 22 are provided with teeth on their outer surfaces, which are pressed into the oil well casing by pressure of the fluid within the holding section of the tool. The pistons 22 are mounted in bores 24, each of which extends entirely through the wall of the part 23 so that the inner surface of each piston 22 will be exposed to pressure Within the central bore 25 of the holding portion. A coil spring 25 engages each of the pistons 22 and presses the pistons inwardly to a retracted position. The springs 26 are held in place by means of the snap rings 27 which surround the holding portion 2 of the tool, substantially as shown. -This method of holding a jacking tool within the casing of an oil well has been used heretofore in the oil industry and the detail construction of this particular part of the tool is not new.

The jacking portion of the tool, which is the lowermost part thereof, is generally indicated at 3 and consists of a number of superimposed jacks, which will be subsequently described. The fish engaging portion of the tool consists of a threaded pin connection 28 onto which the spear 29 is screwed. The spear is of usual andwell known construction and is pressed downwardly into the open end of the lost tool, pipe, or the like, and the spear then tenaciously grips'the lost article since it is provided with sharp teeth on its outer surface. A pipe section 30 extends upwardly from the threaded connection 28 and extends into the outer cylinder portion 31, which is essentially an extension of the cylinder 9, and is preferably formed of a number of pipe sections which are connected to each other by the usual type of collars or the like. The cylinder 9-31 thus is one continuous element from top to bottom of the tool, but is merely formed of a number of connected pieces. The pipe 39 is slidably mounted Within the pipe or cylinder section 31, that is, it can move longitudinally a distance of approximately 2 or 3 feet, more or less. The upper end of the pipe 30 terminates just below the holding section 2, as shown in Figure 3. A ball seat 32 is mounted in the lower end of the pipe section 30, and a ball 33 rests on this seat to prevent downward movement of pressure fluid through the pipe after the tool is in operative position. While the tool is being run into the well the ball 33 is not in place and thereafter circulating fluid can pass through the tool, as is common practice in the oil industry. When the tool reaches its operative position the ball 33 is dropped into the drill pipe 6 and eventually finds its place on the seat 32.

The various superimposed jacks are identical in construction and, consequently, only one will be described in detail. A piston 34 is mounted on the outside of the pipe 38 and this piston fits closely against the inside of 34 upwardly in the space 35 and moving the pipe 39 and the spear 29 upwardly together with the lost fish. As

previously stated, the total upward movement of-the pipe 30 and the spear 29 is approximately 2 or, 3 feet, and

thereafter the tool can be moved upwardly and reset,- after which the pipe 30 is again jacket upwardly to again move the lost fish approximately that same'distance.

This is continued until the .fish is free and can be pulled to the surface, The various collars 37 which couple. the adjacent sections of the cylinder 31 also define oneend of thecylinder space 35, and also the pipe 39 closely fitsithe inside surface of the couplings 37, thus providing a confined area -inwhich the pressure fluid-canfoperate toniove the pipe 39 and the spearzflmpi previously describdl T i t s y ga In operation:

The hydraulic pulling tool is first lowered into the well on the drill pipe 6. This lowering operation continues until the spear 29 engages the open end of the lost fish. Downward pressure will now cause the spear to enter the tubular fish and will tightly grip the fish due to the teeth on the outside of the spear. While the fish is thus gripped by the spear the drilling string is pulled upwardly until the release rings 19 in the gripping construction are pulled upwardly in the sleeve 20, which permits the mandrel 7 to move upwardly and simultaneously pulling the sleeve valve 10 to its raised position shown in Figure 10, and with the spring detent 11 holding the sleeve valve in this position. The ball 33 is now dropped into the drill pipe and eventually it will rest on the seat 32. The pressure of the fiuid in the drill pipe 6 and within the tubular length of the pulling tool will now pass outwardly through the ports 36, thus pushing the pistons '34 and the pipe 39, to which they are attached, upwardly a distance of 2 or 3 feet, more or less. Due to the Weight of the parts the pipe 30 has moved downwardly within the cylinder 9 and sections 31 to a maximum amount, that is, the pistons 34 are just above the upper edges of the collars 37. Also while the tool is being lowered into the well the sleeve valve 10 is in the position shown in Figure i so that the ports 14 are covered. In this position the fluid must flow downwardly through the mandrel 7 and thence through the tubular holding section 2 and thence into the jacking section 3. The pressure fiuid acts against the in side of the holding pistons 22, forcing them outwardly to engage the casing and thus hold the entire tool against longitudinal movement within the casing. Since the tool is thus held stationary within the casing the upward jacking movement of the pipe 30 will lift the lost fish a distance of approximately 2. or 3 feet, more or less. When the upward movement of the pipe 30 is completed the holding pistons 22 are released and also the pressure fluid within the cylinder space 35 is relieved as follows: The mandrel 7 is pushed downwardly until the collar 5 engages the top of the sub 8. This movement is accomplished against the restraining influence of the friction rings 19 within the sleeve 26. The mandrel 7 is now again pushed downwardly and, due to the spring detent 11 engaging the groove 12, the valve 10 will be held in its raised position permitting the ports 14 to pass below the sleeve 1) and permitting pressure fluid to exhaust through the exhaust holes 16. This position of the parts i shown in Figure 10.

Since the pressure fluid is now being exhausted the holding pistons 22 will retract by action of the springs 26, and thereafter the tool can be pulled upwardly about 2 or 3 feet, or until the pistons 34 on the pipe 30 again strike the collars 37. This lifting action on the tool has pulled the mandrel 7 upwardly a short distance until the ports 14 are again covered by the sleeve valve lit. Thereafter, pressure again builds up back of the pistons 22 to again set the tool in the casing, after which the lifting or jacking action of the tool is repeated. Thereafter short downward movement of the mandrel 7 will again expose the ports 14 to permit resetting of the tool, as previously described.

' Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a hydraulic pulling tool, comprising a tubular cylinder, a pipe extending into the bottom of said cylinder, said pipe being longitudinally movable in said cylinder, a lost article gripping means on the lower end of said pipe, said pipe and cylinder defining a chamber therebetween, a piston on said pipe within the chamber, said pipe having a fluid portextending through the wall thereof and into said chamber below said piston, sealing means in the cylinder below the pistonand surrounding said pipe, normally retracted Wall gripping means adapted to control valve comprising a tubular mandrel extendinginto the top of said cylinder, said mandrel having a limited longitudinal movement in said cylinder, a drill pipe attaching means on the upper end of said mandrel, said mandrel having fluid control ports extending through the side thereof, said cylinder having exhaust holes therein adjacent said fluid control ports, valve means slidably mounted on the mandrel, normally positioned to close the fluid control ports in the mandrel and the exhaust holes in the cylinder, means on the mandrel engaging said valve means in normal position on the mandrel to move said valve means therewith to raised position when the mandrel is moved upwardly in the cylinder, whereby the fluid control ports remain closed while the exhaust holes are opened, and means engaging and maintaining said valve means in raised position opening the fluid con trol ports when the mandrel is moved downwardly to reposition the flow control ports opposite the exhaust ho es.

2. In a hydraulic pulling tool, comprising a tubular cylinder, a pipe extending into the bottom of said cylinder, a lost article gripping means on the lower end of said pipe, said pipe and cylinder defining a chamber therebetween, a piston on said pipe within the chamber, said pipe having a fluid port extending through the wall thereof and into said chamber below said piston, sealing means in the cylinder below the piston and surrounding said pipe, normally retracted wall gripping means adapted to be projected from said cylinder to engage the well wall and hold the cylinder against longitudinal movement, a control valve comprising a tubular mandrel extending into the top of said cylinder, said mandrel having a limited longitudinal movement in said cylinder, a drill pipe attaching means on the upper end of said mandrel, said mandrel having fluid control ports extending through the side thereof, said cylinder having exhaust holes therein adjacent said fluid control ports, a sleeve valve within the cylinder slidably mounted on and surrounding said mandrel, normally positioned to close the fluid control ports in the mandrel and the exhaust holes in the cylinder, means on the mandrel engaging said sleeve valve in normal position on the mandrel to move said sleeve valve therewith to raised position when the mandrel is moved upwardly in the cylinder whereby the fluid control ports remain closed while the exhaust holes are opened, and means engaging and maintaining said sleeve valve in raised position opening the fluid control ports when the mandrel is moved downwardly to reposition the flow control ports opposite the exhaust holes.

3. In a hydraulic pulling tool, comprising a tubular cylinder, a pipe extending into the bottom of said cylinder, said pipe being longitudinally movable in said cylinder, a lost article gripping means on the lower end of said pipe, said pipe and cylinder defining a chamber therebetween, a piston on said pipe within the chamber, said pipe having a fluid port extending through the wall thereof and into said chamber below said piston, sealing means in the cylinder below the piston and surrounding said pipe, a plurality of normally retracted holding plugs adapted to engage the well wall and slidably mounted in the wall of said cylinder, said plugs being exposed to pressure fluid at their inner ends within said cylinder to press the plugs into engagement with the well wall to hold the cylinder against longitudinal movement, a control valve comprising a tubular mandrel extending into the top of said cylinder, said mandrel having a limited longitudinal movement in said cylinder, drill pipe attaching means on the upper end of said mandrel, said mandrel having fluid control ports extending through the side thereof, said cylinder having exhaust holes therein adjacent said fluid control ports, a sleeve valve within the cylinder slidably mounted on and surrounding said mandrel, normally positioned to close the fluid control ports in the mandrel and the exhaust holes in the cylinder, means on the mandrel engaging said sleeve valve in normal position on the mandrel to move said sleeve valve therewith to raised position when the mandrel is moved upwardly in the cylinder whereby the fluid control ports remain closed while the exhaust holes are opened, and means engaging and maintaining said sleeve valve in raised position whereby the fluid control ports are opened when the mandrel is moved downwardly to reposition the flow control ports opposite the exhaust holes and closed when the mandrel is moved'upwardly.

4. In a hydrauling pulling tool, comprising a tubular cylinder, a pipe extending into the bottom of said cylinder, said pipe being longitudinally movable in said cylinder, a lost article gripping mean on the lower end of said pipe, said pipe and cylinder defining a chamber therebetween, a piston on said pipe within the chamber, said pipe having a fluid port extending through the wall thereof and into said chamber below said piston, sealing means in the cylinder below the piston and surrounding said pipe, a plurality of normally retracted holding plugs adapted to engage the well wall and slidably mounted in the wall of said cylinder, said plugs being exposed to pressure fluid at their inner ends within said cylinder" to press the plugs into engagement with the well wall to hold the cylinder against longitudinal movement, a control valve comprising a tubular mandrel extending into the top of said cylinder, said mandrel having a limited longitudinal movement in said cylinder, drill pipe attaching means on the upper end of said mandrel, said mandrel having fluid control ports extending through the side thereof, said cylinder having exhaust holes therein adjacent said fluid control ports, valve means slidably mounted on the mandrel, within the cylinder, normally positioned to close the fluid control ports in the mandrel and exhaust holes in the cylinder, means on the mandrel engaging said valve means to move said valve means therewith to raised position when the mandrel is moved upwardly in the cylinder, whereby the fluid control ports remain closed while the exhaust holes are opened, and means engaging and maintaining said valve means in raised position whereby the fluid control ports are opened when the mandrel is moved downwardly to reposition the flow control ports opposite the exhaust holes and closed when the mandrel is moved upwardly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,537,413 Lawrence Ian. 9, 1951 2,732,901 Davis Jan. 31, 1956 2,747,673 Lawrence May 29, 1956 2,799,348 Page July 16, 1957 2,806,534 Potts Sept. 17, 1957 

